Sometimes people amaze me. I just received this message from, Erica, my new friend in New York City. Very cool, big thanks, Erica:
Hey Cherry Girl!
I’m an NYC girl, a place where public transport can just as easily frustrate you into madness, as delight you with the talent of subway performances. So after reading about your note on the bus, I felt inspired to try it here in NYC, and see if people would actually do this.
I did change a few things though, typing my own note, with this message: “By sitting here today, I have become part its story. And for this one day, I will try to make it a better place. You can too! All you have to do is say ONE nice thing to someone around you. When it’s done, sign this paper and leave your mark of positivity!” And of course, the attention grabber, a big header at the top in red letters that said, PLEASE READ, DO, AND SIGN =). This is NYC, so to deter people from throwing this random piece of paper on the floor I attached it to a piece of cardboard, along with a pen hanging on a string.
This done, I set off for a ride on the local W train, from 49th Street down to 8th (6 stops). I sat down, pulled out my sign-up sheet, gauged the situation around me, and spotted a girl with some cute earrings. I spoke up and told her how nice they looked on her. She smiled, said thank you, and told me she got them at H&M (Bonus! Style tip!). After signing my name, I laid the note next to me with the pen visibly on it and waited. Though people got on and off at the different stops, the very focused city-dwellers ignored the note or pretended not to notice it.
I was kind of bummed, but decided to try it one more time on the way back uptown. I set the note on the train seat by itself and stood nearby to observe. A woman in her mid 30s got on the train at Union Square, and sat next to it. She looked over, read it, and smiled. Honestly, it felt good just to see someone contemplate the idea, so I was satisfied with just that. But then she looked at the older lady across from her and told her she liked her handbag and how well it complimented her outfit. And she signed! The older lady asked what that sheet was, and the 1st lady passed it to her. It started a small domino effect just in this one train car, where 7 people signed the sheet by the time I got to my stop. A couple of them were riding together and knew each other, but they felt compelled for that moment, to connect with the stranger beside them.
Erica
Wow – cool, right!
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